Thumbnails: Episode Three // Shelby Ling

Our adventure buddy Evan Schell made episode three of his ongoing video series called Thumbnails. We hope you love it as much as we do!

Thumbnails: Episode Three // Shelby Ling. from Slippery Saltwater Chronicles on Vimeo.

Shelby Ling is an artist, illustrator, and designer from Leucadia, California. Having grown up in Southern California, Shelby's artwork features a great deal of animated, surf-inspired imagery along with unique, blue cactus collages inspired by her time spent in the desert. Shelby's skill set is one of great variety and her artwork showcases her ability to work with all kinds of mediums including, wood, paint, and fabric. Currently she is studying furniture design at San Diego State University while continuing to work as a freelance artist and self-proclaimed "co-parent".
For more of Shelby's work visit: shelbyling.com & follow her on Instagram at instagram.com/dirtandhoney.

The Pucker Factor

Okay, you know the feeling you get when you’re standing on the edge of something sketchy, and your breath catches in your lungs as you mumble, “holy… shit.” Your stomach goes into knots, as your heart races and pounds like it’s going to explode out of your chest. I can’t help but chase that elusive, but invigorating feeling. Most people would call me an “adrenaline junkie”, but I resent their need to label the holy nature of my endeavor - it is too glorious to title. I am in constant pursuit of the feelings associated with being behind the camera. When I’m photographing a BASE jump, it isn’t enough for me to stand safely away from the ledge.

No, I’m drawn to the very edge, egged on by an inward voice telling me to, “take a closer look.” It is at these moments that I experience a heady rush as I position myself to capture the optimum shot. This is of such great importance to me, that I often maneuver to the point where I am forced to rope up and climb off the edge myself, igniting the “pucker factor”- a term I coined to define those moments of such intense fear or nervousness that the adventurer’s butthole puckers up. I want to harness a shot that is capable of inviting its viewers to bask in the type of feelings I experience when I am on the ledge. A lot of people have a hard time understanding why anyone would risk putting themselves in such a dangerous situation. Taking the leap, flailing past cliffs, and wondering why the hell you don’t have a back up parachute (at least skydivers have this consolation).

My friend, Gary, claims that the draw for him is, “The aspect of being in complete control over myself. I get scared on every exit, and the fear is the same every time. The only difference is my ability to control my fear and disconnect my feet from the earth. The freedom of the fall is second to none.”

by Keito Swan keitoswan.com

West Coast Slow Ride

If your reading these words, you probably like going on adventures. If you're still reading these words you're probably the right person to win the West Coast Slow Ride.

The contest is super simple: Win one of four West Coast adventures by uploading your best travel photos to Instagram and tagging them #WestCoastSlowRide

Winners (plus one adventure-buddy) will be showered in great gear by TICLA, Yakima, Stanley, Eagles Nest Outfitters, and get admission to one of these parties.

Red Rocks Rendezvous, Las Vegas, NV

March 27-29, 2015, Winner chosen in March

High Sierra Music Festival, Quincy, CA

July 3-5, 2015, Winner chosen in April

Doe Bay Music Festival, Orcas Island, WA

August 2015, Winner chosen in May

Yosemite Facelift, Yosemite National Park, CA

Sept. 22-28, 2015, Winner chosen in June

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Oh, this is also to celebrate the release of a new beer by New Belgium called Slow Ride. Surely you're teeth will be swimming in it soon!

So, win your next adventure by tagging the one your on #westcoastslowride

Illustration by Jeremy Collins Photo by Todd Gillman

More info HERE >>>

Meet Stay Wild's "Main Helper"

Lot's of awesome people make Stay Wild happen. Shoot, you're probably one of the people? We do however have a "Main Helper" and his name is Scrappers. Evan Schell, of The Slippery Water Chronicles, recently dropped in on Scrappers at the studio and did a tiny interview as part of his "Thumbnails" series. Check it out:

Thumbnails: Episode Two // Justin "Scrappers" Morrison. from Slippery Saltwater Chronicles on Vimeo.